Solomon begins all his preparations to build God’s house. First he says he needs to build one according to the instructions given by Moses in God’s written word. It’s always a good idea to build anything with God’s specifications.
He then says that the house for God will be the greatest house, because our God is the greatest God. (Vs 5). The nature of the purpose of the building should determine the “greatness” of the building. He suggests that a house with the purpose of worshipping the one true God of heaven should be the greatest. If an observer from another world would believe this principle and look down upon earth, the United States especially, the natural conclusion would be that the God of Football, or other sports, might be the greatest, because “houses” for that purpose are usually the greatest (ie, size).
Solomon, however, concedes in verse 6 that it really doesn’t matter how great the house is because, “…who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him?” There is a tension here between the reality of God’s being much too great for us to manage (His transcendence) and the fact that He is right here with us (imminent) at the same time.
Allen puts it this way, “God is near—yet He is also enthroned beyond the stars and is no mere element within His own universe. There is a kind of Christian who thinks he has God in his pocket, so sure is he of his version of the Christian faith and of God’s predictability. Here by contrast is a high conception which reacts with awe to the mystery of God’s being. He is no tame God to be manipulated. The majestic Aslan is not the sort of lion that fits into any cage! The awesomeness of God is manifested in the positive role of the temple.”
This should be the role of our churches today. They simply express the reality of God’s divine nature and call all believers to worship Him for the incomprehensible God that He truly is!
Chuck
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16